WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION/
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA PROPRIÉTÉ INTELLECTUELLE
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS OF THE NICE UNION – 23RD SESSION/
COMITÉ D’EXPERTS DE L’UNION DE NICE – 23ÈME SESSION
April 22 to 26, 2013 / 22 – 26 avril 2013
Project:/Projet
CE234
Rapporteur: US
PROPOSAL CONCERNING MEDICATED TOILETRIES,
MEDICATED COSMETIC PREPARATIONS AND MEDICATED
SOAP, SUBMITTED BY THE USPTO /
PROPOSITION CONCERNANT LES PRODUITS DE TOILETTE
MÉDICINAUX, LES PRÉPARATIONS COSMÉTIQUES
MÉDICINALES ET LES SAVONS MÉDICINAUX, SOUMISE PAR
L’USPTO
Rapporteur Proposal/Proposition du rapporteur
Date: February 22, 2013/
22 février 2013
CE234, page 2
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES TO THE 10TH EDITION OF THE NICE CLASSIFICATION
CONCERNING MEDICATED TOILETRIES, MEDICATED COSMETIC PREPARATIONS AND
MEDICATED SOAP IN CLASSES 3 AND 5
1. INTRODUCTION
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) submits the following proposal to the
Committee of Experts of the Nice Agreement for changes to the Nice Classification related to
medicated toiletries, medicated cosmetic preparations and medicated soap.
Specifically, the USPTO proposes classifying cosmetic preparations, soap, and toiletries in
Class 3, except when those goods are medicated, are for pharmaceutical purposes or have
disinfectant properties, then the USPTO proposes classifying the goods in Class 5. As part of
this proposal, the USPTO proposes transferring medicated soap (Basic No. 030130) from
Class 3 to Class 5.
2. OUTLINE OF THE USPTO PROPOSAL
Under the current 10th Edition of the Nice Classification, the Alphabetical List includes the
broad entries Toiletries (Basic No. 030125) and Shampoos (Basic No. 030134) in Class 3.
The Alphabetical List also includes many products classified in Class 3 when the purpose is
specified as “for cosmetic purposes” while the same product is classified in Class 5 when the
purpose is specified as “for medical purposes” or “for pharmaceutical purposes.”
For example, “Lotions for cosmetic purposes” (Basic No. 030122) are in Class 3 while “Lotions
for pharmaceutical purposes” (Basic No. 050191) are in Class 5. Additionally, “Petroleum jelly
for cosmetic purposes” (Basic No. 030109) is in Class 3 while “Petroleum jelly for medical
purposes” (Basic No. 050339) is in Class 5. This general classification system suggests that
cosmetic preparations, and toiletries for personal hygiene are generally in Class 3, but those
goods are in Class 5 when they are medicated or have disinfectant qualities, consistent with
“disinfectants” in the Class 5 Heading.
The classification of “medicated soap” (Basic No. 030130) in Class 3, appears to be the
exception to this general classification system. This exception creates a great deal of confusion
among national trademark offices and applicants.
For example, Nice Classification users seeking to classify “medicated dandruff shampoo” are
uncertain whether to classify these goods in Class 3 with “shampoos” and “medicated soap” or
in Class 5 with Dandruff (Pharmaceutical preparations for treating --- ) (Basic No. 050241). An
applicant, unfamiliar with the Nice Classification, has difficulties understanding the reasons for
classifying most medicated goods in Class 5, and some others in Class 3. Additionally, the
national trademark offices have developed inconsistent classification practices as a result of
the apparent contradiction in the Alphabetical List. For example, at the 22nd Session of the
Committee of Experts, the USPTO and the International Bureau indicated that their current
practices are to classify anti-bacterial handwashes in Class 5 consistent with “disinfectants” in
the Class 5 Heading, while many other national trademark offices indicated that they classified
the same goods in Class 3 consistent with the Alphabetical List entry, “medicated soap.”
The Class 5 Heading includes “Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations; sanitary
preparations for medical purposes” and “disinfectants.” The Alphabetical List includes the
following entries in Class 5: “Medicines for dental purposes” (Basic No. 050327), “Medicines for
human purposes” (Basic No. 050328), and “Medicines for veterinary purposes” (Basic No.
050329). The term “medicated” as used in the wording “medicated soap” refers to soap
containing medication. Therefore, the USPTO proposes:
CE234, page 3
1. Transferring medicated soap and disinfectant soap from Class 3 to Class 5;
2. Adding certain goods in Classes 3 and 5 to provide clearer and more consistent
guidance on this issue;
3. Amending the Class Headings and Explanatory Notes accordingly
In preparing this proposal, the USPTO reviewed the Benelux Trademark Office (BBM) proposal
from the Nice Union - Preparatory Working Group: Twenty-Fifth Session Proposal for Revision
of the Classification of Indications Relating to “Animal Washes” in Classes 3 and 5 that was
rejected by the Preparatory Working Group and subsequently rejected by the Committee of
Experts. The USPTO has incorporated certain elements of that proposal into the attached
proposal.
3. REQUEST FOR SPECIFIC COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS
We request that members who provide comments to this study to provide feedback to the
following concerning your office’s current practice:
a. In what class do you classify medicated shampoos? What is the basis in Nice for your
classification practice?
b. In what class do you classify medicated after-shave lotions? What is the basis in Nice
for your classification practice?
c. In what class do you classify anti-bacterial handwashes? What is the basis in Nice for
your classification practice?
d. In what class do you classify medicated toiletries? What is the basis in Nice for your
classification practice?
4. DETAILS OF THE USPTO PROPOSAL
The proposal made by the USPTO to Classes 3 and 5 is detailed in the following list.
CE234, page 4
A/
R/
W1
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
US-23-1
5
New
Add
Astringents for medical
purposes
US-23-1
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
astringents à usage médical
Prop.
No./n°
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
US-23-2
5
New
Add
Antibacterial soap
US-23-2
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
savons antibactériens
US-23-3
5
New
Add
Antibacterial handwashes
US-23-3
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
produits antibactériens pour
le lavage des mains
US-23-4
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <after-shave>
lotions
US-23-4
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
lotions après-rasage
médicamenteuses
1
A: Approved/Approuvé; R: Rejected/Rejeté; W: Withdrawn/Retiré
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
Provide guidance in Class 5 because
“Astringents for cosmetic purposes” (Basic
No. 030191) are in Class 3.
Antibacterial is defined as “active against
bacteria.” http://oxforddictionaries.com/
This purpose is similar to that of
“disinfectants” defined as “a chemical liquid
that destroys bacteria” oxfordictionaries.com.
“Disinfectants” are in the Class 5 heading
and “Disinfectants for hygiene purposes”
(Basic No. 050118) are in Class 5.
Antibacterial is defined as “active against
bacteria.” http://oxforddictionaries.com/
This purpose is similar to that of
“disinfectants” defined as “a chemical liquid
that destroys bacteria” oxfordictionaries.com.
“Disinfectants” are in the Class 5 heading
and “Disinfectants for hygiene purposes”
(Basic No. 050118) are in Class 5.
Provide guidance in Class 5. Please see
definitions below in Category 3 for
“medicated.” This proposal corresponds to
the Category 3 proposal to modify “Aftershave lotion” (Basic No. 030200) in Class 3
by inserting an asterisk.
LP/
PL
CE234, page 5
A/
R/
W1
Prop.
No./n°
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
US-23-5
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <shampoos>
US-23-5
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
shampooings médicamenteux
US-23-6
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <toiletry>
preparations
US-23-6
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
préparations de toilette
médicamenteuses
US-23-7
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <hair> lotions
US-23-7
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
lotions capillaires
médicamenteuses
US-23-8
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <dry>
shampoos
US-23-8
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
shampooings secs
médicamenteux
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
Provide guidance in Class 5. Please see
definitions below in Category 3 for
“medicated.” This proposal corresponds to
the Category 3 proposal to modify
“Shampoos” (Basic No. 030134) in Class 3
by inserting an asterisk.
Provide guidance in Class 5. For example,
“Mouthwashes for medical purposes” (Basic.
No. 050383) is a medicated toiletry already in
the Alphabetical List. Please see definitions
below in Category 3 for “medicated.” This
proposal corresponds to the Category 3
proposal to modify “Toiletries” (Basic No.
030125) in Class 3.
Provide guidance in Class 5. Please see
definitions below in Category 3 for
“medicated.” This proposal corresponds to
the Category 3 proposal to modify “Hair
lotions” (Basic No. 030034) in Class 3 by
inserting an asterisk.
Provide guidance in Class 5. Please see
definitions below in Category 3 for
“medicated.” This proposal corresponds to
the Category 3 proposals to modify “Dry
shampoos” (Basic No. 030223) in Class 3 by
inserting an asterisk.
LP/
PL
CE234, page 6
A/
R/
W1
Prop.
No./n°
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
US-23-9
5
New
Add
Medicated shampoos for pets
US-23-9
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
shampooings médicamenteux
pour animaux de compagnie
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
Provide guidance in Class 5. Please see
definitions below in Category 3 for
“medicated.” This proposal corresponds to the
Category 3 proposal to modify “Shampoos”
(Basic No. 030134) in Class 3 by inserting an
asterisk.
US-23-10
5
New
Add
<Medicated> <dentifrices>
Provide guidance in Class 5. For example,
“Mouthwashes for medical purposes” (Basic.
No. 050383) is a medicated dentifrice already
in the Alphabetical List. Please see definitions
below in Category 3 for “medicated.” This
proposal corresponds to the Category 3
proposal to modify “Dentifrices” (Basic No.
30079) in Class 3 by inserting an asterisk .
US-23-10
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
US-23-11
5
New
Add
A pediculicide is a chemical used to kill lice.
http://oxforddictionaries.com.
US-23-11
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
dentifrices médicamenteux
Lice treatment preparations
[pediculicides]
préparations de traitement
anti-poux [pédiculicides]
Provide guidance in Class 5. This proposal
corresponds to the Category 3 proposal to
modify “Shampoos” (Basic No. 030134) in
Class 3 by inserting an asterisk.
US-23-12
5
New
Add
Pediculicidal shampoos
US-23-12
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
shampooings pédiculicides
US-23-13
5
New
Add
Insecticidal animal shampoo
US-23-13
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
shampooings insecticides
pour animaux
Provide guidance in Class 5. This proposal
corresponds to the Category 3 proposal to
modify “Shampoos” (Basic No. 030134) in
Class 3 by inserting an asterisk.
LP/
PL
CE234, page 7
A/
R/
W1
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
US-23-14
5
New
Add
US-23-14
5
Nouveau
Ajouter
US-23-15
3
New
Add
US-23-15
3
Nouveau
Ajouter
Prop.
No./n°
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
Insecticidal veterinary washes
produits de lavage
insecticides à usage
vétérinaire
Shampoos for animals [nonmedicated grooming
preparations]
shampooings pour animaux
[préparations d’hygiène non
médicamenteuses]
US-23-16
3
New
Add
Eye-washes, not for medical
purposes
US-23-16
3
Nouveau
Ajouter
préparations pour lavages
oculaires, autres qu’à usage
médical
US-23-17
3
New
Add
Vaginal washes for personal
sanitary or deodorant
purposes
US-23-17
3
Nouveau
Ajouter
bains vaginaux pour la toilette
intime ou en tant que
déodorants
US-23-18
5
050322
Delete
Dog lotions
US-23-18
5
050322
Supprimer
lotions pour <chiens>
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
Provides guidance in Class 5.
This proposal corresponds to the Category 3
proposal to modify “Shampoos” (Basic No.
030134) in Class 3 by inserting an asterisk.
Provide guidance in Class 3. This proposal
corresponds to the Category 3 proposal to
modify “Eye washes” (Basic No. 050414) in
Class 5 by inserting “medicated.”
Provide guidance in Class 3, similar to
“Douching preparations for personal sanitary
or deodorant purposes [toiletries]” Basic No.
030218.
This is an antiquated term. It is more clearly
encompassed by “Lotions for pharmaceutical
purposes” (Basic No. 050191) and “Lotions
for veterinary purposes” (Basic No. 050220)
in Class 5.
LP/
PL
CE234, page 8
A/
R/
W1
Prop.
No./n°
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
US-23-19
3
030130
Transfer
Medicated soap
5
US-23-19
3
030130
Transférer
savons médicinaux
5
US-23-20
3
030080
Transfer
<Disinfectant> <soap>
5
US-23-20
US-23-21
US-23-21
US-23-22
US-23-22
US-23-23
US-23-23
US-23-24
US-23-24
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
030080
030012
030012
030223
030223
030034
030034
030134
030134
Transférer
Change
Changer
Change
Changer
Change
Changer
Change
Changer
<savons> <désinfectants>
Soap
savons
Dry shampoos
shampooings secs
Hair lotions
<lotions> <capillaires>
Shampoos
shampooings
5
Soap*
savons*
Dry shampoos*
shampooings secs*
Hair lotions*
<lotions> <capillaires>*
Shampoos*
shampooings*
Remarks/
Remarques
“Medicated” is defined as:
1. (of a bandage, shampoo, etc.) containing
medication.
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/en
glish/medicated
2. (Usually as adjective medicated) add a
medicinal substance to (a dressing or
product): medicated shampoo.
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english
/medicate?q=medicated
These goods should be classified in Class 5,
which “includes mainly pharmaceuticals and
other preparations for medical or veterinary
purposes,” as set forth in the Class 5
Explanatory Note.
“Disinfectants for hygiene purposes” (Basic.
No. 050118) are in Class 5 and
“Disinfectants” are in the Class Heading for
Class 5. Therefore, these goods should be
classified in Class 5 based on their
disinfectant properties.
LP/
PL
CE234, page 9
A/
R/
W1
Prop.
No./n°
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
US-23-25
3
030125
Change
Toiletries
Toiletry preparations*
US-23-25
US-23-26
US-23-26
3
3
3
030125
030079
030079
Changer
Change
Changer
produits de <toilette>
Dentifrices
dentifrices
préparations de <toilette>*
Dentifrices*
dentifrices*
US-23-27
5
050189
Change
Animal washes
Animal washes [insecticides]
US-23-27
5
050189
Changer
produits pour <laver> les
<animaux>
produits pour <laver> les
<animaux> [insecticides]
US-23-28
5
050051
Change
Cattle washes
Cattle washes [insecticides]
US-23-28
5
050051
Changer
produits pour laver les
<bestiaux>
produits pour laver les
<bestiaux> [insecticides]
US-23-29
5
050075
Change
Dog washes
Dog washes [insecticides]
US-23-29
5
050075
Changer
produits pour laver les <chiens>
produits pour laver les
<chiens> [insecticides]
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
Some definitions of the term “toiletries” include
goods in other classes, such as hairbrushes,
which are in Class 21. See for example: toiletry:
An article, such as toothpaste or a hairbrush,
used in personal grooming or dressing.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/toiletry The
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by
Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All
rights reserved. Adding the term “preparations”
clarifies the nature of the goods.
The addition of the term “insecticides”
provides guidance to explain why these
goods are classified in Class 5. Insecticides
are in Class 5 (Basic No. 050055).
The addition of the term “insecticides”
provides guidance to explain why these
goods are classified in Class 5. Insecticides
are in Class 5 (Basic No. 050055).
The addition of the term “insecticides”
provides guidance to explain why these
goods are classified in Class 5. Insecticides
are in Class 5 (Basic No. 050055).
LP/
PL
CE234, page 10
A/
R/
W1
Cl.
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
US-23-30
5
050414
Change
Eye-washes
Medicated eye-washes
US-23-30
5
050414
Changer
préparations pour <lavages>
oculaires
préparations médicinales
pour <lavages> oculaires
US-23-31
5
050393
Change
Vaginal washes
Vaginal washes for medical
purposes
US-23-31
5
050393
Changer
bains vaginaux
bains vaginaux à usage
médical
Prop.
No./n°
US-23-32
US-23-32
3
3
Class
Headings
Intitulés
des classes
Action
Change
Changer
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
Bleaching preparations and
other substances for laundry
use;
cleaning, polishing, scouring
and abrasive preparations;
soaps;
perfumery, essential oils,
cosmetics, hair lotions;
dentifrices.
Préparations pour blanchir et
autres substances pour
lessiver;
préparations pour nettoyer,
polir, dégraisser et abraser;
savons;
parfumerie, huiles essentielles,
cosmétiques, lotions pour les
cheveux;
dentifrices.
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
Bleaching preparations and
other substances for laundry
use;
cleaning, polishing, scouring
and abrasive preparations;
perfumery, essential oils,
cosmetics;
dentifrices.
Préparations pour blanchir et
autres substances pour
lessiver;
préparations pour nettoyer,
polir, dégraisser et abraser;
parfumerie, huiles
essentielles, cosmétiques;
dentifrices.
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
The addition of the term “medicated” provides
guidance to explain why these goods are
classified in Class 5.
Provide clearer guidance in Class 5, similar
to “Douching preparations for medical
purposes” Basic No. 050402
LP/
PL
CE234, page 11
A/
R/
W1
Prop.
No./n°
US-23-33
Cl.
3
Basic No.
or Place/
N° de base
ou endroit
Explanatory
Notes
Action
Existing entry/
Entrée existante
New or modified entry/
Nouvelle entrée
ou entrée modifiée
New
Cl./
Nlle
cl.
Remarks/
Remarques
This Class does not include,
in particular:
Add
- medicated soap (Cl. 5);
- medicated toiletry
preparations (Cl. 5);
Cette classe ne comprend
pas notamment :
US-23-33
US-23-34
US-23-34
3
5
5
notes
explicatives
Explanatory
Notes
notes
explicatives
Ajouter
- les savons médicinaux
(cl. 5);
- les préparations de toilette
médicamenteuses (cl. 5);
This Class includes, in
particular:
Add
- medicated soap;
- medicated toiletry
preparations;
Cette classe comprend
notamment :
Ajouter
- les savons médicinaux;
- les préparations de toilette
médicamenteuses;
End of document/Fin du document
LP/
PL